Best prime lenses for Bolex EBM

Andre Hoven · February 15, 2010

Hey guys,

would need some help on this topic... I recently bought a converted Bolex EBM super 16mm and am looking now for the best lens solution for this camera... As I understand there are multiple adapters out there for the Bolex cameras (C mount, PL mount, Canon FD mount etc...)

What are the best primes?

What are the best primes for the buck?

I heard that the Bolex cameras have something going on with their prism ??? If there is anybody who knows something about this I would be very grateful...

As you see I am by no means a "camera expert" and would be very, very thankful for any help and advice :P

Thanks guys!!!

Jean-Louis Seguin · February 16, 2010

Hey guys,

would need some help on this topic... I recently bought a converted Bolex EBM super 16mm and am looking now for the best lens solution for this camera... As I understand there are multiple adapters out there for the Bolex cameras (C mount, PL mount, Canon FD mount etc...)

What are the best primes?

What are the best primes for the buck?

I heard that the Bolex cameras have something going on with their prism ??? If there is anybody who knows something about this I would be very grateful...

As you see I am by no means a "camera expert" and would be very, very thankful for any help and advice :P

Thanks guys!!!

For best results, your first choice should be the H16RX series of Kern Switars.

They are designed specifically to take the prism into account and will give you the best results at all aperture settings.

For focal lengths over 50mm, the effect of the prism becomes negligable and pretty much any good quality lens will work fine.

Cheers,

Jean-Louis

Andre Hoven · February 16, 2010

For best results, your first choice should be the H16RX series of Kern Switars.
They are designed specifically to take the prism into account and will give you the best results at all aperture settings.

For focal lengths over 50mm, the effect of the prism becomes negligable and pretty much any good quality lens will work fine.

Cheers,

Jean-Louis

Thanks Jean-Louis,

that was super helpful!!!

Andre ;)

dino wiand · March 6, 2010

this (compressed to hell) music video was shot with the Switar RX. I use some adapted Cooke Ivotal's which also look fantastic. Sopelem also are very nice but hard to find. check the link out, all done with a bolex and no crew.

http://www.nme.com/video?bcpid=26429438001...tid=69991951001

Thanks Jean-Louis,

that was super helpful!!!

Andre ;)

Chris Millar · March 6, 2010

10mm Switar

26mm Macro-Switar

75mm Macro-Switar

Then:

50mm Macro-Switar (a slightly rarer item)

5.5mm Aspheron adaptor for the 10mm ($$$)

Make sure you get the 'preset' versions - little levers out of the side that are very helpful... But not the ones for 8mm, which will appear to be a lot cheaper, just stick to the focal lengths above and you 'll avoid that ...

Problem for new buyers is that they have become popular lenses to put in front of the panasonic digicams recently and have at least doubled in price - in the case of my pristine 75mm that I got from Argentina if I did the math and compared the price I paid to a recent sale it has quadrupled...

flavio filho · June 3, 2010

Hi all.

Im in the process to buy a Bolex like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280443258186&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

But that lenses are not that good I think.

The KERN SWITAR H16 RX you guys are referring to, would be this one one of the good ones?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280514842993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If still there's a better KERN SWITAR H16 RX lenses model that you reckon would work best, please let me know!

Its important info I need asap, before I buy it.

Thanks!

Flavio

Chris Millar · June 3, 2010

Im in the process to buy a Bolex like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280443258186&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

But that lenses are not that good I think.

The KERN SWITAR H16 RX you guys are referring to, would be this one one of the good ones?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280514842993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Whoah - people DO buy those super 16 EL's on ePay ! I got mine as standard and converted it myself (complete conversion before you ask) - much cheaper

Ok, to answer your question yes the POE is a Kern Switar RX corrected lens - out of all the zooms it also covers super16 quite well - things is however, it's no where near as nice as the primes...

$999 - wow ! :blink:

I got a mint SBM with an ok POE on it for $200 about 5 years ago - its now also been converted to super 16... Sheesh, maybe I should be selling

flavio filho · June 3, 2010

Whoah - people DO buy those super 16 EL's on ePay ! I got mine as standard and converted it myself (complete conversion before you ask) - much cheaper

Ok, to answer your question yes the POE is a Kern Switar RX corrected lens - out of all the zooms it also covers super16 quite well - things is however, it's no where near as nice as the primes...

$999 - wow ! :blink:

I got a mint SBM with an ok POE on it for $200 about 5 years ago - its now also been converted to super 16... Sheesh, maybe I should be selling

Hi Chris

Thanks for that.

So, u reckon that lenses (http://cgi.ebay.com/...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT)are ideal for the Bolex body I'm intending to buy?

Though, if I got it right, you think its TOO expensive? Is that it?

If that lens still is no the ideal to have with that Bolex body, which one you recommend when u mentioned "ints not nears as nice as the primes".

Sorry, maybe I didnt figure out what u mean...

I really want to have a Bolex EL original with the original lenses, or close to it.

Thanks

F

flavio filho · June 3, 2010

Hi again.

Now I got it.

You mentioned prime lenses would be ideally better than having the zoom lenses, isnt it?

I agree, but I would have one or another of that ones anyway, only want to know which to choose. Then after I can buy some prime ones...

And you're right, it is too expensive that price. But that is an OFFER price, the kit would come less than $2000 I believe, if I make an offer.

And regarding the MOUNT, is that EL mount a good one? The seller said its the same model still manufactured today by Bolex, of course, only an old version.

Guys, any tips from you that know about it, the better equipment I can get, so thanks since now.

Flavio

Chris Millar · June 3, 2010

That mount is the Bolex bayonet mount - best you can get in Bolex to hold onto the big zooms and convert to PL if you want - you can buy (overpriced) c-mount adaptors also, which you'll need for the primes...

The best zoom is hard to say - the POE as you linked will cover super16 with no modification and is perhaps not as bad I said - the PTL (power zoom 12.5~100 I think) and the other version of the 12.5 ~ 100 have better optics but don't cover super16 (at the wide end) without modification that bolex no longer offers (they have run out of elements if you believe what some guy told you on the net).

As for the primes - read the thread above - they have all been covered, and are selling fast on Ebay as someone has discovered they work with digicams and they are now the cool thing to own, one day soon they'll be selling for more then the Bolex new price :lol:

flavio filho · June 6, 2010

That mount is the Bolex bayonet mount - best you can get in Bolex to hold onto the big zooms and convert to PL if you want - you can buy (overpriced) c-mount adaptors also, which you'll need for the primes...

The best zoom is hard to say - the POE as you linked will cover super16 with no modification and is perhaps not as bad I said - the PTL (power zoom 12.5~100 I think) and the other version of the 12.5 ~ 100 have better optics but don't cover super16 (at the wide end) without modification that bolex no longer offers (they have run out of elements if you believe what some guy told you on the net).

As for the primes - read the thread above - they have all been covered, and are selling fast on Ebay as someone has discovered they work with digicams and they are now the cool thing to own, one day soon they'll be selling for more then the Bolex new price :lol:

Hi Chris!

Thanks loads for your help.

Im a bit confused, sorry, still learnign many things.

Thing is, and my doubbt, maybe you can help on my decisions;

I have a TRADE of services, and I'll have this camera in exchange:

This Bolex camera, EXCEPT the lens:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280443258186&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

- And the lens would be this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280514842993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

My question is: AM I DOING IT RIGHT? THE LENSES IMA ASKING TO BE CHANGED CAME WITH THE C-MOUNT ADAPOTR AND I'lL BE HAPPY WITH MY DESISION?

After I have the material, since its the best decision I can do, I'll ADAPT this camera to SUPER 16.

So, think now you know what I'm intending.

Please, let me know yourthought, if I should change for the other lens, if i'll have the best I can.

And if I SHOULD ask to change for the other lens.

And HOW i could have the prime lens.

ANYTHING!

Thanks a lot!

Flavio

flavio filho · June 6, 2010

Hi Chris!

Thanks loads for your help.

Im a bit confused, sorry, still learnign many things.

Thing is, and my doubbt, maybe you can help on my decisions;

I have a TRADE of services, and I'll have this camera in exchange:

This Bolex camera, EXCEPT the lens:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280443258186&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

- And the lens would be this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280514842993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

My question is: AM I DOING IT RIGHT? THE LENSES IMA ASKING TO BE CHANGED CAME WITH THE C-MOUNT ADAPOTR AND I'lL BE HAPPY WITH MY DESISION?

After I have the material, since its the best decision I can do, I'll ADAPT this camera to SUPER 16.

So, think now you know what I'm intending.

Please, let me know yourthought, if I should change for the other lens, if i'll have the best I can.

And if I SHOULD ask to change for the other lens.

And HOW i could have the prime lens.

ANYTHING!

Thanks a lot!

Flavio

ERM... SORRY, again..

I meant I'll adapt this camera to ULTRA 16mm

Thanks again, neeed to be sure of what I;m doing .

Ta,

F

Chris Millar · June 6, 2010

My question is: AM I DOING IT RIGHT? THE LENSES IMA ASKING TO BE CHANGED CAME WITH THE C-MOUNT ADAPOTR AND I'lL BE HAPPY WITH MY DESISION?

Please, let me know yourthought, if I should change for the other lens, if i'll have the best I can.

That lens will work with that camera, it is a good zoom - there is no 'best', its either that one or the 12.5-100 but each lens has aspect that make it best for some and not best for others (coverage at the wide end vs. quality) - quality is subjective, I think in the absence of not knowing any better you'll be happy ;)

You don't need a c-mount adaptor for it - that camera is a bayonet mount and that lens is a bayonet lens - what are you asking to be changed ?

And HOW i could have the prime lens.

You read the thread above to find out about bolex primes then search for them on sale on the internet :huh:

flavio filho · June 6, 2010

That lens will work with that camera, it is a good zoom - there is no 'best', its either that one or the 12.5-100 but each lens has aspect that make it best for some and not best for others (coverage at the wide end vs. quality) - quality is subjective, I think in the absence of not knowing any better you'll be happy ;)

You don't need a c-mount adaptor for it - that camera is a bayonet mount and that lens is a bayonet lens - what are you asking to be changed ?

You read the thread above to find out about bolex primes then search for them on sale on the internet :huh:

Hi Chris.

Thanks for your answer.

I'll have this camera set:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOLEX-EL-SUPER-16-16MM-MOVIE-CAMERA-REX-ZEISS-ARRI-RED-/280443258186?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414bb8854a

But I'll ask to change that lens for this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280514842993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

So, first I want to know if I'm doing a good thing on changin it.

And also, regarding the BOLEXES... Are that older models that work with 3 lenses mounted together a good deal to have?

Like this older: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pailliard-Bolex-H-16-Reflex-3-Lenses-/120577042801?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item1c12f3a971

Or the EL mount is REALLY good and have only one lens mounted?

And I'm doing right to ask to change for that other lens?

Thanks agian and sorry my ignorance.

Best,

Flavio

Chris Millar · June 6, 2010

Hi Chris.

Thanks for your answer.

I'll have this camera set:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOLEX-EL-SUPER-16-16MM-MOVIE-CAMERA-REX-ZEISS-ARRI-RED-/280443258186?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414bb8854a

But I'll ask to change that lens for this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280514842993&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

So, first I want to know if I'm doing a good thing on changin it.

I see, yes, yes you are doing a good thing

And also, regarding the BOLEXES... Are that older models that work with 3 lenses mounted together a good deal to have?

Like this older: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pailliard-Bolex-H-16-Reflex-3-Lenses-/120577042801?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item1c12f3a971

Or the EL mount is REALLY good and have only one lens mounted?

The EL is much better compared to that one - but not all turret mounts, the RX5 are very nice also, but they are spring wound ...

I can see and endless line of questioning here - there is a fair amount to know when it comes to the Bolex line up and every question you ask will have an answer that leads to another question "what is spring wound?' 'what is the difference between a RX4 and a RX5?' 'can you fit a POE on a turret camera?' - variable shutter, RX collimation, lens re-centering fro super/ultra, finder magnification and so on ...

I'd suggest you slow down, release that 'purchase tension' and read everything you can online, and then make a better decision - the EL is a fine Bolex, maybe the best, depending on what you need in a camera that is. I reach for my EL about as much as my SB, and sometimes the RX4 is called for also - I couldn't say which is 'best', there is no perfect Bolex camera - maybe the Pro ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOLEX-16MM-PRO-CAMERA-/220617278369?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item335dd083a1#ht_500wt_1154 - but then it's not very small is it, and I'm not sure about ease of conversion :lol:

A POE on a EL will be nice though - in some ways the less you know could work in your favour as you wont be regretting that it doesn't have such and such a feature

John King · August 23, 2012

I am looking at buying a set of prime lenses for a Bolex EL (also converted to Super16) The set is described as super-fast with 1.4 apertures, made by KOWA and are fitted with PL mounts originally on an Eclair NPR.

Will these lenses work OK with the EL in Super16? Also, what adapters will I need for the mount or is the PL lock for the Eclair the same or similar to that of Bolex?

Here is the list of lenses:

KOWA Lenses fast lenses with 1.4 apertures

12.5mm

16mm

25mm

They are PL mount for Eclair NPR

Thanks in advance for all help and advice!

God Bless!!!

Mark King